The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) is a federal law enforcement agency in Nigeria under the Federal Ministry of Justice charged with eliminating the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting, and trafficking of hard drugs. The agency was established by Decree Number 48 of 1989. The NDLEA is present in international airports, seaports, and border crossings. The NDLEA also targets the leaders of narcotics and money laundering organizations.
30-505: The NDLEA was established by the promulgation of decree no.48 of 29th, December 1989, now an act of parliament whose major target was aimed at exterminating illicit drug trafficking and consumption. Former Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade , described illicit drugs as "alien" to Nigeria. Cannabis, locally grown in most states, was introduced to the country by foreigners. Oliver Stolpe, UNODC Country Representative to Nigeria, said that according to
60-516: A United Nations committee discussing crime prevention, criminal justice and international drug control, Giade said that one of the most significant problems faced in Nigeria was the misuse of cannabis. Nigeria needed the help of the international community to fully tackle the situation. He has described drug barons as agents of death who always work towards a failed state wherever they are allowed to operate. In November 2015, Giade formally handed over
90-552: A drug suspect in November 2005 when he was the Chairman of the NDLEA. He was sentenced to four years in prison together with his personal assistant. They were investigated by Nigeria’s Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission. Lafiaji appealed his conviction and on November 22, 2011, a three-judge panel of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal in Lagos unanimously overturned his conviction, holding that
120-401: A drug suspect in November 2005 when he was the Chairman of the NDLEA. He was sentenced to four years in prison together with his personal assistant. They were investigated by Nigeria’s Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission. Lafiaji appealed his conviction and on November 22, 2011, a three-judge panel of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal in Lagos unanimously overturned his conviction, holding that
150-481: A legacy of proactive and intelligence-led organisation." "The agency under my watch has a representative at INTERPOL headquarters and has successfully raised the international profile of the country through unprecedented seizures of drugs and arrest of drug barons.” The achievements of the agency during his time in office includes the removal of Nigeria from the drug majors list by the United States government and
180-522: A new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2021, 14.4 percent of Nigerians are presently engaged in drug abuse. Also, Nigeria was one of the largest cannabis growers in Africa, with over 8% of the population using cannabis. Annual cannabis seizures increased from 126 metric tonnes in 2005 to 210 metric tonnes in 2007. The NDLEA describes the southwest region of Nigeria as one of
210-408: A new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2021, 14.4 percent of Nigerians are presently engaged in drug abuse. Also, Nigeria was one of the largest cannabis growers in Africa, with over 8% of the population using cannabis. Annual cannabis seizures increased from 126 metric tonnes in 2005 to 210 metric tonnes in 2007. The NDLEA describes the southwest region of Nigeria as one of
240-631: A retired deputy commissioner of police, was appointed chairman of the Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in November 2005. He replaced Bello Lafiaji, who was dismissed by President Obasanjo due to allegations of corruption. Giade has also served as Special Assistant on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances to the president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari . Giade was born in Giade, Bauchi State . Giade began his security career in 1963 when he enlisted into
270-621: A woman about to board a KLM flight at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport was arrested by NDLEA officers and later excreted 42 wraps of cocaine, weighing 585 grams. In September 2009, the NDLEA arrested a Guinean woman en route from Brazil to Europe with 6.350 kg of pure cocaine at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos . In 2008 Nigeria was certified by the United States in
300-411: A woman about to board a KLM flight at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport was arrested by NDLEA officers and later excreted 42 wraps of cocaine, weighing 585 grams. In September 2009, the NDLEA arrested a Guinean woman en route from Brazil to Europe with 6.350 kg of pure cocaine at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos . In 2008 Nigeria was certified by the United States in
330-497: Is a federal law enforcement agency in Nigeria under the Federal Ministry of Justice charged with eliminating the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting, and trafficking of hard drugs. The agency was established by Decree Number 48 of 1989. The NDLEA is present in international airports, seaports, and border crossings. The NDLEA also targets the leaders of narcotics and money laundering organizations. The NDLEA
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#1732854906233360-524: The Agency to its Director General, Roli Bode George, at a ceremony in the Ikoyi Headquarters in Lagos. At the ceremony, he said "I am leaving the agency better than I met it 10 years ago. My greatest legacy is my zero tolerance for corruption. If we must continue to dislodge drug barons and eradicate drugs from our society, we must remain forthright and committed to drug control programmes. I am leaving behind
390-692: The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Tin Can Island Port and Isokoko Police Station Lagos. He served as an Assistant Commissioner of Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Rivers State Command in 1989. In 1993, he held a similar position at the Katsina State Police Command before his transfer to the Special Fraud Unit, Force Criminal Investigation Department Lagos. Giade was a member, Federal Government Task Force on
420-600: The Fifteenth International Symposium on Economic Crime, Jesus College Cambridge. The following year, he was also in Lyon France for International Police Organisation (INTERPOL) Conference on Forgery of National Currencies. He was appointed Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to Senator Joseph Wayas, Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1982. Giade's rising profile also saw him holding among other positions
450-1030: The NDLEA reported destroying a 24 hectare cannabis plantation in a forest reserve in Osun State . In January 2009, the NDLEA publicly burned 5,605.45 kilograms of drugs seized from traffickers in Badagry , Lagos. The bonfire included 376.45 kilograms of cocaine, 71.46 kilograms of heroin and 5,157.56 tonnes of cannabis. in 2015 The United States donated full body scanning machines for the Lagos, Kano , Abuja and Port Harcourt international airports and provided security training and orientation airport officers. The machines have proved effective in catching smugglers and couriers taking cocaine from Latin America to Europe by way of Nigeria. Between 2006 and June 2008 over 12,663 suspected drug dealers were arrested, with seizure of over 418.8 metric tonnes of various hard drugs. For example, in July 2009
480-829: The NDLEA reported destroying a 24 hectare cannabis plantation in a forest reserve in Osun State . In January 2009, the NDLEA publicly burned 5,605.45 kilograms of drugs seized from traffickers in Badagry , Lagos. The bonfire included 376.45 kilograms of cocaine, 71.46 kilograms of heroin and 5,157.56 tonnes of cannabis. in 2015 The United States donated full body scanning machines for the Lagos, Kano , Abuja and Port Harcourt international airports and provided security training and orientation airport officers. The machines have proved effective in catching smugglers and couriers taking cocaine from Latin America to Europe by way of Nigeria. Between 2006 and June 2008 over 12,663 suspected drug dealers were arrested, with seizure of over 418.8 metric tonnes of various hard drugs. For example, in July 2009
510-431: The NDLEA. In late November 2005 NDLEA Chairman Bello Lafiaji was dismissed by President Olusegun Obasanjo due to allegations of corruption and replaced by Ahmadu Giade. Lafiaji’s continued anti-narcotic efforts made him a target of drug barons as was evidenced in their connivance with some third party to frame him in 2005. Lafiaji was convicted on June 21, 2010, of conspiracy and conversion of 164,300 euros seized from
540-429: The NDLEA. In late November 2005 NDLEA Chairman Bello Lafiaji was dismissed by President Olusegun Obasanjo due to allegations of corruption and replaced by Ahmadu Giade. Lafiaji’s continued anti-narcotic efforts made him a target of drug barons as was evidenced in their connivance with some third party to frame him in 2005. Lafiaji was convicted on June 21, 2010, of conspiracy and conversion of 164,300 euros seized from
570-711: The Nigeria Police College Kaduna. He had series of local and international training programmes such as Anti Fraud Course, Lagos 1968, and Prosecution Course Kaduna 1969. In 1989 and 1993, he distinguished himself at both the Intermediate and Senior Command training programmes at the Police Staff College, Jos. In 1997, he participated in the International Police Organisation (INTERPOL) Conference Lyon, France on Advanced Fee Fraud as well as
600-901: The Reorganization of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in 1994. In 1999, he retired from the Nigeria Police Force as a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP). In November, 2005 he was appointed the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA and completed his second tenure in November 2015. He was appointed Special Assistant to the President on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances from December, 2015 until April 2019 where he completed his tenure and retired from public service. Speaking in October 2008 before
630-441: The anti-narcotic crusade for the eight successive time. President George Bush said that Nigeria had made significant progress in counter narcotics and had effectively co-operated with the United States on drug-related and money laundering cases. In Katsina State , 100 people were convicted for drug offences from January to May 2008, and 358 people were arrested for drug offences in the same period. Speaking of efforts to go after
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#1732854906233660-439: The anti-narcotic crusade for the eight successive time. President George Bush said that Nigeria had made significant progress in counter narcotics and had effectively co-operated with the United States on drug-related and money laundering cases. In Katsina State , 100 people were convicted for drug offences from January to May 2008, and 358 people were arrested for drug offences in the same period. Speaking of efforts to go after
690-455: The main centers of illicit drug production in the country. 196.5 acres (0.795 km ) of cannabis farmland was discovered and destroyed in the region in 2008. In particular, Edo State has the highest rate of seizure of cannabis in the country. In April 2009, the NDLEA confiscated 6.5 tonnes of marijuana from the home of a man in Ogun State who claimed to be 114 years old. In September 2009
720-399: The main centers of illicit drug production in the country. 196.5 acres (0.795 km) of cannabis farmland was discovered and destroyed in the region in 2008. In particular, Edo State has the highest rate of seizure of cannabis in the country. In April 2009, the NDLEA confiscated 6.5 tonnes of marijuana from the home of a man in Ogun State who claimed to be 114 years old. In September 2009
750-640: The organizers of the trade, Ahmadu Giade said the agency had seized N270 million worth of shares from drug barons, as well as cars, houses and other property worth hundreds of millions of naira. After a September 2009 meeting with the head of the Nigerian Immigration Service to discuss exchange of biometric data of convicted drug barons and traffickers, Giade said cooperation between the agencies would help deny passports to convicted drug barons. The U.S. Department of State noted that there have been credible allegations of drug-related corruption at
780-567: The organizers of the trade, Ahmadu Giade said the agency had seized N270 million worth of shares from drug barons, as well as cars, houses and other property worth hundreds of millions of naira. After a September 2009 meeting with the head of the Nigerian Immigration Service to discuss exchange of biometric data of convicted drug barons and traffickers, Giade said cooperation between the agencies would help deny passports to convicted drug barons. The U.S. Department of State noted that there have been credible allegations of drug-related corruption at
810-593: The prosecution failed to prove its cases beyond reasonable doubt. Lafiaji was therefore discharged and acquitted by the appellate court. In June 2003 the National Committee for the Reform of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency issued a report that identified a cartel of senior NDLEA members which had arranged the release of 197 convicted drug barons and couriers between 2005 and 2006, and recommended prosecution of these official. Ahmadu Giade Ahmadu Giade ,
840-436: The removal of Nigeria from the major drug list opened door to a robust cooperation and partnership with stakeholders. The agency won legal suits for the conviction of 8,637 drug offenders in five years from the year 2010 to 2015. In 2010, the NDLEA won 1,509 convictions, in 2011, 1,491 while in 2012, the number of persons convicted rose to 1,718. The convictions further increased to 1,865 in 2013 and 2,054 in 2014. This brings
870-578: The total number of drug offenders sentenced to various jail terms within that period to 8,637. Giade has broadened the frontiers of drug control with unprecedented arrests, seizures and convictions. Some of his unique selling points include zero tolerance for corruption, discipline and hard-work. As at 2021, Giade remains the longest serving Chairman of the NDLEA since its establishment in 1989, having served 10 years from November 24, 2005 to November 22, 2015. National Drug Law Enforcement Agency The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA )
900-450: Was established by the promulgation of decree no.48 of 29th, December 1989, now an act of parliament whose major target was aimed at exterminating illicit drug trafficking and consumption. Former Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade , described illicit drugs as "alien" to Nigeria. Cannabis, locally grown in most states, was introduced to the country by foreigners. Oliver Stolpe, UNODC Country Representative to Nigeria, said that according to
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